Emerging Evangelicals: Faith, Modernity, and the Desire for Authenticity

238 Pages·2011·2.298 MB·English

by  James S. Bielo

Emerging Evangelicals
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Emerging
Evangelicals
Faith, Modernity, and the
Desire for Authenticity
James S. Bielo
a
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY PRESS
New York and London
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY PRESS
New York and London
www.nyupress.org
© 2011 by New York University
All rights reserved
References to Internet websites (URLs) were accurate at the time of writing.
Neither the author nor New York University Press is responsible for URLs
that may have expired or changed since the manuscript was prepared.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Bielo, James S.
Emerging evangelicals : faith, modernity, and the desire for
authenticity / James S. Bielo.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978–0–8147–8954–4 (cl : alk. paper) — ISBN 978–0–8147–8955–1
(pb : alk. paper) — ISBN 978–0–8147–8956–8 (inst. ebook) —
ISBN 978–0–8147–3918–1 (con. ebook)
1. Evangelicalism—United States. 2. Emerging church movement—
United States. I. Title.
BR1642.U5B53 2011
277.3’083—dc22 2011015755
New York University Press books are printed on acid-free paper,
and their binding materials are chosen for strength and durability.
We strive to use environmentally responsible suppliers and materials
to the greatest extent possible in publishing our books.
Manufactured in the United States of America
c 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
p 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
For Judith S. Bielo, my mother
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Contents
Figures and Tables ix
Acknowledgments xi
Introduction: Conceptualizing Emerging Evangelicalism 1
1 Stories of Deconversion 28
2 Ironies of Faith 47
3 Ancient-Future I: Experiencing God 70
4 Ancient-Future II: Everyday Monastics 98
5 Missional I: Everyday Missionaries 118
6 Missional II: Kingdom Theologies 138
7 Church Planting I: A New Work 157
8 Church Planting II: Sense of Place 178
Conclusion: Dialogic Evangelicalism 195
Appendix 205
References 211
Index 221
About the Author 225
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Figures and Tables
3.1 U.S. News and World Report cover, December 2007 72
3.2 Christianity Today cover, February 2008 73
3.3 Maproom Welcome Stations 85
3.4 Maproom Station One 85
3.5 Maproom Station Two 86
3.6 Maproom Station Three 86
3.7 Maproom Station Four 87
3.8 Maproom Station Five 88
3.9 Maproom Station Six 89
3.10 Maproom Station Seven 89
3.11 Maproom Station Eight 90
3.12 Maproom Station Nine 91
3.13 Maproom Station Ten 92
3.14 Maproom Station Eleven 92
3.15 Maproom Station Twelve 93
3.16 Maproom Station Thirteen 93
3.17 Maproom Station Fourteen 94
4.1 Virgil and Jaime’s two oldest daughters on future home site 107
5.1 Respondents to Dr. Soong-Chan Rah’s colonialist-missionary 134
comment
6.1 Virgil’s PowerPoint slide depicting kingdom theology 139
7.1 Neighborhood demographic statistics for Corryville, 169
Mt. Auburn, and Over-the-Rhine
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